April is Arab American Heritage Month
In the 1990s, various States began recognizing Arab American heritage to celebrate the history and contributions of Americans with roots in the 22 countries located in the Middle East and North Africa: Algeria, Bahrain, the Comoros Islands, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Mauritania, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. These nations are diverse in their faith, ethnicities, and culture, but the majority of them share a common language - Arabic. An initiative to celebrate Arab American heritage nationwide began in 2017, leading to the White House proclaiming April as National Arab American Heritage Month for the first time in 2021. In May of 2023, the State of California adopted a resolution to designate April as Arab American Heritage Month.
Arab American groups have been advocating for additional ethnicity categories to better reflect the diversity of the Arab descendant communities, and foster better policy-making and belonging. In 2022, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) announced they would begin a formal review to revise OMB’s standards for federal data on race and ethnicity. Shortly after, an Interagency Technical Working Group was formed to aid in the process. The Working Group, made up of government career staff representing more than 20 federal agencies across the government, began their work, including engaging the American public directly as they deliberated their recommendations. On January 27, 2023, OMB published a Federal Register Notice seeking the public’s comments on the Working Group’s initial proposal for updating OMB’s Race and Ethnicity Standards, which included a call for adding a Middle East or North Africa (MENA) category. On March 28, 2024, OMB revised the Race and Ethnicity Standards to include a new MENA checkbox! Learn more here.
The Arab Cultural and Community Center will be hosting its first Annual Arab Cultural Festival in San Bruno at Belle Air Elementary (450 3rd Ave., San Bruno) this Sunday, April 14th, at noon. This is a free event where you can expect to find:
- Arabic food
- Kids Games
- Bazzar
- Souvenirs booths
- Henna and facepainting
- Live Music, ethnic dance, and lots more
According to the American Community Survey (2018-2022), there are 5,482 San Mateo residents (ages 5+) that speak Arabic at home out of a total of 714,511 residents (ages 5+). Learn more on the County of San Mateo's website. You can also download this virtual background to help raise cultural and racial awareness during National Arab American Heritage Month. And for those that celebrate, may this Eid-al-Fitr bring lots of joy, love, success, and prosperity to your life. Eid Mubarak! (Happy Feast/Festival!) This year, Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan, takes place on April 10 or 11, depending on the sighting of the new moon in different parts of the world.
A Great Way to Get Involved & Serve Your Community: Apply to Serve on a City Committee or Board of Trustees
The City of Brisbane is currently recruiting community members interested in serving on the Open Space and Ecology Committee, the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Accountability Committee, and the San Mateo County Mosquito & Vector Control District. The deadline to apply is 5 PM on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, and the applications are available at brisbaneca.org/open-seats or by contacting the City Clerk at (415) 508-2113 or at cityclerk@brisbaneca.org.
Apply now for the following Committee and Trustee seats:
- Open Space & Ecology Committee (1 seat)
- Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accountability (IDEA) Committee* (3 seats)
- San Mateo County Mosquito & Vector Control District (1 seat)
(*Note: Brisbane residents, as well as those who work but don't live in town, are welcome to apply for the IDEA Committee)
PG&E Maintenance Work Via Helicopter, April 15-18
PG&E will be having contract helicopter personnel working to replace insulators on two of their towers on San Bruno Mountain Monday, 4/15 through Thursday, 4/18. They will be utilizing a similar-looking Bell 407 helicopter during this work as shown above, with their flight times being 8 AM - 4 PM on those four days. Nearby PG&E customers have also been notified via phone.
Caltrain Electric Train Tour & 160th Anniversary Celebration in San Carlos, May 11th
Be among the first to board Caltrain’s new, modern electric trains as they unveil the future of their service. Explore the spacious interiors, learn about the exciting new features, and get a glimpse of what Caltrain will be like in 2024. This is the last of three planned tours, scheduled to take place at their San Carlos station. Caltrain will also be celebrating 160 years of passenger rail on the corridor with special commemorative items.
On the weekends of April 13-14 & April 20-21, crews will begin testing Caltrain’s new electric trains between San Francisco and Millbrae. Morning and late night Caltrain service will be affected on these weekends. Learn more about the service changes.
Residents may hear additional noise during testing hours, including grade crossing activations and train horns. Testing means that new electric overhead wires are energized, with the new electric trains much quieter than the former diesel trains. Learn more at caltrain.com/safety.
Caltrain Pass Forward Program
Commute.org is partnering with Caltrain on its Pass Forward Program for 2024, where they receive from Caltrain an allocation of free Go Passes to distribute to eligible recipients. Commute.org will be distributing its allocation of passes directly as well as in partnership with community-based organizations that serve essential workers and residents that meet the program requirements:
- Make less than $70,000/year
- Work or live in San Mateo County
- Use the card to get to work, job training, or job searching
- Use the pass at least twice a week
Your Feedback Needed by San Mateo County Transportation Authority
If you travel between San Mateo County and our neighboring counties, the San Mateo County Transportation Authority (TA) would like your feedback! The San Mateo County TA is developing the Regional Transit Connections Plan which will provide guidance for a new grant program.
Please help them learn more about how you travel between San Mateo County and Alameda, San Francisco and Santa Clara Counties. This feedback will be used to help the TA prioritize which transit projects to fund.
The survey open until the end of April and is also available in Spanish and Chinese.
April STAR Available to Read Online
2024 Summer Activity Guide Now Available!
The Activity Guide is a great way to learn all about the upcoming events, classes, and programs brought to you by the Brisbane Parks & Recreation Department. They work hand-in-hand with the Parks & Recreation Commission on all related programs and policies.
It's Scholarship Season!
Eligible applicants for the Brisbane Chamber’s program are seniors in high school that live in Brisbane or are a dependent of an employee of the City of Brisbane or an employee of a Chamber member business in good standing. Applications are available on the Brisbane Chamber of Commerce website and will be submitted via an online portal. Applicants must submit their completed application by 5 PM on April 12, 2024.
The Lion's Scholarship application was recently released on the Brisbane Lion's Scholarship Program webpage. To receive a scholarship award, you must be a high school graduate or have a GED, be considered a Brisbane resident, enrolled in a full-time higher education or vocational program, submit a completed application, and sign up to participate in a 30-minute Zoom interview with Lions Scholarship Committee members in May 2024. Completed applications are due by midnight of April 30, 2024.
Join the Tuesday Evening Pickleball League!
The sign-up's are coming in...don't miss out on this new offering. The Tuesday evening Pickleball League gets underway Tuesday, April 23rd at 6 PM.
North County Fire Authority's Wildfire Awareness Event, May 11th
San Mateo County Health Officials Urge Residents to Vaccinate Against Measles
With measles on the rise nationally, and recent cases locally, San Mateo County Health has joined Bay Area health officials in urging everyone to be up to date on measles vaccinations and watch for symptoms after travel or exposure. Learn more here.
Special Play Gym Offering, April 13th
Play Gym is a great way to meet other parents of Brisbane's youngest residents. The Community Center is transformed into a safe and lively indoor gym so that the kids are well-entertained while the adults get to socialize. If you haven't checked it out yet, consider doing so when the next event is offered on Saturday, April 13th from 9:30 AM - 11 AM at the Community Center!
On April 13th and May 4th, there will be two special edition sessions. From 9:30 - 10:30 AM, enjoy open playtime where your little ones can explore and have fun with toys and friends. Then, there will be a music and dance class with Viky Mojica from 10:30 - 11 AM. This engaging session is designed to foster a love for rhythm and movement in children ages 6 months to 5 years old.
Come join the fun and create lasting memories with your little one at MoB Play Gym!
Lifeguard Training Class, April 12 - 14th
Are you or someone you know interested in becoming a lifeguard? Now is the time to be trained by the best!
Participants must be at least 15 years of age, have the ability to swim 300 yards non-stop, tread water for 2 minutes with no hands, and be able to retrieve a 10-pound object from 8 feet deep and swim 20 yards with the object. Sign up now for the next Lifeguard Training Class, taking place Friday - Sunday, April 12-14.
Love Food Hate Waste Virtual Library Event, April 13th
In honor of Earth Day (4/22), the UCCE Master Food Preservers of San Mateo and San Francisco Counties are bringing San Mateo County Libraries a virtual workshop on how to use food preservation to maximize the food you enjoy and minimize the food you waste. You'll leave with knowledge about choosing the best storage methods for different foods, understanding the balance between waste reduction and food safety, and using some delicious recipes for small quantities of leftover produce and scraps. Register here.
Note: the City is planning to once again host a compost giveaway event in partnership with SSF Scavenger in honor of Earth Day. More details to come!
Next Chamber Mixer: Wednesday, April 17 at the Sierra Point Yacht Club
Earth Day Habitat Restoration Day, April 20th
Weed while you hike! Help remove invasive weeds like french broom, wild radish, fennel, and pincushion plant from the grasslands along the ridge of Buckeye Canyon. These stewardship efforts will help protect habitat for the endangered mission blue and callippe silverspot butterflies and encourage an increased abundance of native wildflowers! Tools, gloves (freshly laundered), educational booklets, and lunch will be provided. Please bring sun protection & water.
This event is hosted by San Bruno Mountain Watch, the City of Brisbane Parks and Recreation Department, and Brisbane’s Open Space & Ecology Committee. Sponsored by the South San Francisco Scavenger Company, Inc. Register on mountainwatch.org.
The Return of Spring Thing, April 20th
Taking place this April 20th for the first time since 2019, Spring Thing is the Brisbane School District's biggest fundraiser of the year and includes a fun evening with dinner, drinks, music, and a silent auction. Support the school district by securing your tickets. Use coupon code stopwaiting10off to get $10 off your ticket by today, April 10th!
Brisbane Parks and Rec is intentionally holding their next Parents Night Out on the evening of Spring Thing. Registration for Parents Night Out is always first come, first served. If capacity is reached, Parks and Rec staff we will assess the waitlist and see if they are able to safely accommodate more families.
Fixit Clinic at the SSF Main Library, April 20th
Staff are working with the San Mateo County Office of Sustainability to bring a Fixit Clinic to the Brisbane Library. In the meantime, there will be one taking place at the SSF Main Library on April 20th from 11 AM - 2 PM (901 Civic Campus Way, in the Makerspace, 2nd floor).
This might be a great opportunity for Brisbane residents to see what a clinic like this is all about. Volunteer Fixit Coaches who generously share their time, tools, and expertise to consult with you on the disassembly, troubleshooting, and repair of items will be available. So bring your broken, non-functioning things -- electronic gadgets, appliances, computers, toys, sewing machines, bicycles, fabric items, etc.-- for assessment, disassembly, and possible repair! (Hopefully you’ll be inspired to become a Fixit Coach yourself.)
Dark Skies Night Hike Wednesday, April 24th
Join the Open Space and Ecology Committee for the Dark Skies Night Hike on Wednesday, April 24th at 7:30 PM. We'll walk paved, but steep roads from Firth Park (301 Glen Park Way) to the water tank on Beatrice/Alexander Rd. Flashlights and reflective clothing are recommended. Limited parking; please walk or carpool if possible. A shuttle option will be available for those with mobility restrictions. Please fill out the registration form by scanning the QR code to attend this event or by going to brisbaneca.org/NightHike.
Brisbane Farmers' Market: Thursdays in the Park, 3-7 PM
- Mountain Fresh
- Villanueva Fruits
- James Healey Confections
- Mango Blossom Apiary
- California Bakeshop
- Hummus Heaven
- Medina Berry Farms
- Amelia's Mexipino Cuisine
- Pasta Rey Artisanal Foods
- Roadside Rotisserie
March 14th was The Daisy Refillery's last market in Brisbane for the time-being. They will instead be providing free delivery to Brisbane once a month in lieu of the market date. Please see the Zone Deliveries page on their website for future dates. The free delivery will be automatically applied at checkout, so all you have to do is select the correct zip code and delivery date for the order.
Upcoming Public Meetings
Archived Meeting Videos
City Council Meeting - Thursday, April 4, 2024 - 7:30 PM
City Council Meeting - Thursday, March 21, 7:30 PM
Did You Know?
The 2024 Commuter Challenge started April 1st and goes through May 31st. The Commuter Challenge is open to individuals ages 18 and above who commute to, from, or through San Mateo County and are committed to embracing an alternative mode of commuting, such as: transit, shuttle, bicycling, carpooling, vanpooling, walking, or telework. Participants who successfully complete a pledge form, stand a chance to win one of five $250 e-gift cards. Enter here.
Quote of the week
This concludes our update; we'll be sending out the next Blast on Wednesday, April 17th. If this email was forwarded to you or you saw it on social media and would like to subscribe, sign up here. As always, please keep connected with us via our website & social media pages. Thanks for reading and staying engaged with us!